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thigh lift recovery

Ask Dr. Elliott: What to Know Before Thigh Lift Surgery

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For many people, as the years go on, maintaining the appearance of our upper legs can prove difficult. Stubborn, diet-resistant fat can accumulate on the thighs, making the legs look heavier, older, and less fit than many of us would prefer. Additionally, excess sagging skin on the thighs that results from major weight fluctuation, weight loss surgery, or general aging can also negatively affect the appearance of your legs and impact your overall body image. For those who have struggled to tone their thighs with diet and exercise alone, thigh lift surgery can be an excellent solution. Thigh lift surgery (or thighplasty) can help patients refine their upper leg area by surgically removing excess fat, skin, and tissue. I have taken time to answer some common questions about thigh lift surgery to help patients who are considering this outstanding cosmetic procedure.

What to Expect after a Thigh LiftQuestion #1: How do I determine which type of thigh lift will be most beneficial for my aesthetic needs?

There are several methods in which a thigh lift can be performed. The most common of these is a medial thigh lift. During a medial thigh lift, an incision is made in the inner thigh area to help patients who experience significant excess skin along the inner thigh. Other common thigh lift techniques include the lateral thigh lift and the mini thigh lift for patients who only experience sagging skin and tissue in the upper third of their leg. Determining which thigh lift method will best address your aesthetic concerns requires a consultation with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.

Question #2: How much recovery time is required after a thigh lift?

The time it takes you to recover following your thigh lift depends on the type of thigh lift procedure you undergo as well as your anatomy and healing ability. Generally speaking, most patients can resume most of their normal daily activities (including returning to work) within two to three weeks after their surgery. However, it’s important not to put too much stress on your legs in the weeks following your procedure, as this can negatively impact the results of your thigh lift. Smoking and other forms of nicotine can also affect your body’s ability to heal following surgery. After six to eight weeks, patients can normally return to more strenuous exercise routines.

Question #3: How long will my thigh lift results last?

Thigh lift results are intended to be long-lasting. As long as you maintain a stable, healthy bodyweight following your procedure, the results of your thigh lift can last for several years. In order to promote the best, longest-lasting results from your surgery, it’s important to closely follow your plastic surgeon’s post-surgery instructions and attend regular follow-up appointments.

I hope you found these answers informative. For anyone struggling with the appearance of their thighs, a thigh lift can provide a safe and effective path to the trimmer, healthier-looking legs that you desire. For more information on thigh lift surgery or if you would like to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. And don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for additional cosmetic surgery tips, videos, news, and more.

What to Expect after a Thigh Lift

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Losing a significant amount of weight and giving yourself the gift of a healthier body is an accomplishment to be proud of. But unfortunately, for many patients, that moment when they step on the scale and see their goal weight is less exciting than they had envisioned, because instead of having a physique they can feel confident in, all they can see is the excess skin that has been left behind. Especially for those who lost weight rapidly through bariatric surgery, skin can lose its elasticity not just throughout the abdomen but in other areas as well, like the legs, and a thigh lift may be needed to remove the excess skin and improve the patient’s comfort and appearance. If you’re considering a thigh lift, this blog can help you know what to expect during your recovery.

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The amount and location of your unwanted tissue will affect the type of incision you’ll require. In some cases the incision is limited to the groin area, where it’s easy to conceal beneath clothing. Other patients may require an incision across the top of the outer thigh or along the inner thigh. Regardless, it’s important to follow all post-surgical instructions about caring for your incisions and to be particularly watchful for signs of an infection during the first two weeks after your surgery.

Recovery Timeline

The type of thigh lift you receive and your unique anatomy will both affect how long it takes your body to heal after plastic surgery. In general, most patients can resume most of their day-to-day activities and be back to work within two to three weeks after surgery. You’ll be asked to avoid putting too much strain on your legs during the first few weeks, and you may need to wear a compression garment for approximately a month, but most thigh lift patients can expect to return to their exercise routine and heavy lifting within 6-8 weeks after their procedure.

Maintaining Your Results

Fortunately, the results of a thigh lift and other post weight loss plastic surgery can be permanent. However, in order to maintain your results, it’s important to remain at a healthy weight. The procedure removes excess skin and contours the thighs, but it does not change the composition of your skin to make it more elastic, so future weight fluctuations could cause you to once again be left with excess skin.

Guidelines like these can help you understand what to expect from the cosmetic surgery you’re considering, but every patient’s situation is unique, and even patients who receive similar procedures may experience significant differences in their healing process. Ultimately, your best source of information is your experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. To start discussing your aesthetic surgery options, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more helpful plastic surgery information, join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

What You Need to Know About Thigh Lift Surgery

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Plastic surgery overall is becoming more and more common—in fact, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), in 2014 Americans received more than six times as many cosmetic procedures as they did in 1997. But while terms like tummy tuck and breast augmentation have become household names, other procedures remain largely unknown to the patients who could benefit from them the most. One such surgery is the thigh lift. Whether it’s happened because of aging or because of dramatic weight loss, many patients find themselves with excess sagging skin on their thighs, and this procedure can restore a more attractive and youthful shape. To give you a quick overview of the procedure, here are a few facts you need to know about thigh lifts:

  • liposuction-atlanta-alpharetta-gaThigh lift surgery removes excess skin from the thigh. For patients who also have unwanted fat in the treatment area, liposuction can be used alongside the thigh lift to create a slimmer, sleeker contour.
  • Thigh lifts are becoming more and more popular. According to ASAPS, they’ve increased by nearly 500% since 1997.
  • There are several different possible incisions for a thigh lift. Patients who have a moderate amount of excess skin, primarily on the inner thigh, can typically keep their incision limited to the discrete crease of the groin. Depending on the amount and location of the tissue that is being removed, some patients will have an incision that extends along the top of the inner thigh.
  • A thigh lift can be a great complement to other plastic surgeries. Many thigh lift patients also have excess skin on other areas of the body, and in this case, combining a thigh lift with procedures like a tummy tuck, arm lift, or breast lift can create a more comprehensive improvement with less cost and downtime than if each surgery was performed separately.
  • Thigh lift surgery patients typically need two to three weeks of recovery time before returning to work or their other daily activities, like driving. Following pre- and post-surgical instructions closely can help a patient recover more smoothly, but it’s important to allow for plenty of time away from daily responsibilities rather than rushing the healing process.

A thigh lift (like any other cosmetic surgery) can be life-changing by giving the patient renewed confidence in their appearance—but this is only true for the right patient. To start discussing whether a thigh lift or another plastic surgery may help you address your aesthetic hurdles, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, to learn more about the procedures we offer and to stay up-to-date on the latest plastic surgery news, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.